Device for raising submerged vessels



Oct. 13, 1931. E. SEXTON DEVICE FOR RAISING SUBMERGED VESSELS Filed Jan. 16, 1928 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Set. 13, 1931 iszaese EAR-L SEXTON, HARTFORD, CQLNECTICUT DEVICE EGR- RAISING SUBIYIERGED VESSELS Application filed. January 16, 1328. Serial No. 247,139.

My invention relates to devices for raising submerged vessels.

It has for its object to provide improved means whereby the necessity for digging channels or the like under the hull of a submerged vessel is obviated and it is made possible to attach cables or hawsers to the hull of the vessel with great facility and in such manner as to enable the raising of the vessel,

; by pontoons or the like, to be greatly expedited. These and other objects of my improved construction will, however, .lereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration several forms which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings, I

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of a submarine equipped with my improvement Fig. 2 is a similar diagrammatic sectional view on line 2-2 showing one of the bulk heads with certain of my improved attachment means built into the latter;

Fig. 3 is an outside side view of the hull showing one of the attachment pockets, certain parts of the cover means thereof being broken away to facilitate illustration;

4 is a vertical sectional view showing the location of one of the pockets in the vessel hull;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 4; i

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig.v 5, showing a slightly modified construction, and

8 shows a furthermodified construc tion.

In the illustrative embodimentIhave shown my invention as applied to a submarine such as generally indicated at 1, but it will be understood that it is equally adapted to use in connection with any type of vessel.

Considering the present disclosure more particularly, it will be noted that the hull 2 of the submarine is provided with a superstructure 3 and keel l of any suitable construction. It will further be noted that it is divided into a series of compartments 5, herein illustrated as seven in number, by means of bulkheads 6 extending transversely across the hull. It will also be understood that between these bulkheads the hull is provided at intervals with other reinforcing means, such, for example, as usual oppositely disposed channel irons riveted together and to the outer shell of the hull in such manner as to produce an exceedingly rigid structure.

Herein one of these bulkheads is illustrated in 2 and is provided with a usual bulkhead opening 7 permitting passage between compartments and having in practice a usual bulkhead door adapted to close it quickly when necessary. As in the usual construction, this bulkhead 6 is very strong, being built into the hull and comprising a series of overlapping plates surrounding the opening 7 and riveted together and usually reinforced by external vertical and horizontal steel rib members. Also, as in a usual construction, the bulkhead 6 is disposed between channel beams 8 extending clear around the inner periphery of the bulkhead and rigidly connected, as by riveting, to the bulkhead and to the outer shell 9 of the vessel.

In my improved construction I provide connecting means rigidly connected to the framework of the hull and having provision whereby quick attachment may be made thereto from the exterior of the vessel when the same is lying on the bottom. If desired, these attachment means may be connected to different parts of the hull, such, for example, as between the circularly disposed angle irons extending around the hull betweencompartments; but I preferably take advantage of the stronger reinforced construction of the bulkheads and the greater rigidity thereof and provide attachment means built into the hull at these bulkheads and so disposed as to permit quick access to the same and attachment of lifting or pontoon cables or hawsers thereto.

More particularly considering my construction, it will be noted that a series of suitable pockets 10 is provided, disposed along the hull in any suitable arrangement. Herein, for purposes of illustration, only one inglunder the vessel.

eferring ;more particularly to the preferred construction, it will be noted that I have built into the channels 8 a pocket coma vertical web 11 formed by a porthe of the bulkhead 6, and a plurality of cooperating pmket forming members 12 disposed and riveted on opposite sides of the portion 11 and apertnred in mehmanner as to unite to provide an apertare, herein of cup shape, facing outward and having the portion 11 extending vertically from top to bottom thereof, removable cover means, hereinafter described, also being provideil on the shell of the vessel to protect these ets and prevent reduction of the Vese sspeed thereby. Examining the construction more in detail, it will benoted that the channels 8 terminate above and below the members 12. Also the latter members are preferably of channel form, the same herein being provided with flanges 13 adapted to be suitably riveted to the channels 8 and the vessel shell 9 in such manner as to provide a very rigid confine tion between the ends of the latter channels. Moreover, it will be noted that these members "12 are riveted to the bulkhead 6 (See Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, reinforcing channels 15 are also disposed in such manner as to overlap the ends of the members 12 and the members 8, and are riveted to the latter and to the shell of the vessel. Within the pockets thus formed by the members 12 and in the pmjedin portion 11 of the bulkhead, I suite! 9 attachment means for a on hawser, or the like. Herein, in the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 these means include a hole 16 in the protruding web p0!" tion -11, suitably spaced from the outer edge and boshed and adapted to receive aaysuitable connecting means for a cable or homer.

*R will also be noted that outside the vessel all! and surrounding each of the pockets so formed, I provide a plate 17 preferably suitably beveled on its outer periphery and heroin having a suitable central beveled opening 18 therein registering with the pocket. Herein, suitable packing 19 is also provided on the beveled opening or seat 18 and a beveled cover plate 20 is sea-ted on this packing, this cover plate being adapted normally to close the pocket and with the packing pro vide a water-tight joint while permitting quick access to the same when necessary to connect cables or hawsers to the hole 16.

Further, it will be noted that herein the plate 20 is provided with a'countersink 21, slightly offset from its axis, and a hole 22 disposed axially of this countersink, to permit the passage of an attachment hook or bolt 23, one end of which is hooked in the hole 16, while the other is extended through the hole 22 and held in position in the countersink by suitable attachment means, such, for example, as a nut 24 seated in the countersink, a packing 24 also preferabl being provided inside the nut and surrounding the outer end of the shank of the book 23. Thus, it will be observed that when necessary the not 24 may be guickly released in any suitable manner an the cover plate 20 removed to permit the connection of cables or hawsers to the hull of the vessel through a connection to the opening 16 in the web 11.

In the form ofmy invention shown in Fig. 7, I have illustrated a web 11 having two holes laterally spaced, each corresponding to the hole 16, one adapted to receive a shorter hook 23, connected as above described and normally holding the cover, and also to use as a connecting means for a cable or liawser, and the other disposed farther in and adapted to carry the bolt 24" of a suitable connecting means, as, for example, a cievis 25, which is thus always carried in the pocket in such manner as further to expedite the process of connecting onto the hall when the cover is removed. It will of course, be understood that the clevis is isposed angularly relative to the hook and that if desired this two-hole construction may be used in lieu of the single hole construction shown in Fig. 4 without the permanently connected connecting means.

In Fig. 8, I have also shown a further modified construction, utilizing two holes, but with these holes spaced vertically. One of these holes, 26, may remain open, while the other, 27, may carry a clcvis 28 normally disposed as in Fig. 7 and as more clearly shown in Fig. 8, when the pocket is closczl by a cover 29; the construction being such that when the cover is removed the clcvis will drop down into the dotted line position shown: and permit quick attachment of one line, while the other hole 26 is used for the coronation of still another line. In this construction, the cover 29 is also shown attached suitable peripheral screws 30 which if dosired may be suitably countersunk in the cover toprcvent catching on wharves or the like, though this screw construction. is not preferred plate to be removed as quickly as does the single hook constructimi described above.

As a result of my improved construction, it will be observed that improved attachment means are provided built rigidly into as it does not permit the cover 1;

aseaaso nnrther, it is only necessary to remove the cover p-ates and connect the cables or hawscrs my improved webs in order to permit 11' operations to begi It will also be that in the term of my invention in Figs. 4 to l the cover plates may icularly quickly removed. It Will of also be evident that my improvec J. structure is water-ti ht and in no i-Q-LIZQIQS with the normal operations of the vessel or cuts down the available Pace within the latter. it will also be understood that desired improved attachment means may be located in dill'erent positions on the hull structure from that shown, in such manner as to make them most conveniently accessible whatever the position of the submerged vessel, and that in certain locations lie cover plates or 29 may be omitted i? desired, in such manner as to permit an even more quick connection to be made to the projecting means, Whether the same assume the form of the perforated member 11 or the member 23, or 28. If desired, the attachment means may also be made in the form of a unit adapted to be riveted as unit in a sintable aperture in the hull, rib and bulkhead, the web also then being separate from the hull and the bulkhead and built into th unit. These and other adof my .inproved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the YVhil-e I have in this application specifically described certain embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the same may be modified in practice and as SLDIG various other forms without departing f'im the spiritthereof, and that it is my ition to include all such modifications within t is scope of the appended claims.

V hat- I claim new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is I 1. In combination, a. vessel hull, and lat orally accessible salvaging attachment means Within the lines of said hull and built into transverse frame structure thereof while maintaining bllfi watertight integrity 0'? said hull.

2. In combination, a vessel hull having rib and externally accessible salvaging attach ment means within the lines of said hull and built into a rib structure thereof while maintaining the water-tight integrity of said hull.

In combination, a vessel hull having and externally accessible salvanging attachthe need of additional cables or hawsers extending under the hull;

ment means built into a rib structure thereof comprising a web and cooperating pocket members.

4. In combination, a vessel hull having ribs and externally accessible salvaging attachment means built into the rib structure thereof comprising a web and cooperating pocket members, said web having an aperture therein between said pocket members.

5. In combination, a vessel hul having and externally accessible salvaging attachment means built into the rib structure thereof comprising a web and cooperating pocket members, said "eb having a Jlurality of apertures therein.

v 6. In combination, a vessel hull having ribs and externally accessible salvaging attaclu merit means built into the rib strumure there of comprising a web and cooperating pocket members and an externally removable cover plate covering the pocke 7. In combination, a vessel hull having ribs and externally accessible salvaging attachment means built into the rib siructnrc thereof comprising a web and cooperating pocket members and an externally remov cover plate covering the pocket and attached to said web.

8. In combination, a vessel hull having ribs, externally accessible salvaging attacln ment means built into the rib structure there of comprising a web and cooperating pocket members, said web having a plurality of apertures therein, cover plate covering the pocket and attached to said web in one of said apertures, and a cable connection in the other.

9. The combination with vessel having a shell with apertures therein each op .ite a rib, of salvaging connectin means bur :11, into the hull and each set into a rib and having pockettorming means within the rib and shell and a lifting connection in said means accessible through an aperture.

10. In combination with a vessel having a shell with apertures therein each opposite a rib, salvaging connecting means built into the hull and each set into a rib and accessible through an aperture, and pocket forming means likewise built into the hull and each set into a rib enclosing said connecting means.

11 In combinat on, a vessel havin a shell with apertures therein each opposite a rib. salvaging connecting means built into the hull and each set into a rib accessible through an aperture, pocket forming means likewise built into the hull and each set into a rib and enclosing said connecting means, and cover means covering said. apertures.

12; The combination with a vessel hull having bulkheads, of externally accessible water-tight salt-aging attachment means built the hull and into one end of said bulkheads ex ernally removable within the lines of the hull and at the junction of the bulkheads with the hull.

13. The combination with a vessel hull having bulkheads, of externally accessible watertight salvaging attachment means built in the htdl at said bulkheads within the lines of the hnil nnd having attachment portions formed by protruding portions of said bulkheads.

14. The combination with a vessel hull having bulkheads, of externally accessible salvaging attachment means built in the hull at said bulkheads, including portions forming protruding portions of the latter and pocket orming means enclosing said protruding portions and likewise built into the hull.

15. In combination, a vessel hull including a shell, ribs therein, and externally accessible salvaging attaclnnent pockets set into said ribs in the sides of said shell and rigidly connected to said shell and ribs.

16. In combination, a hull having bulkheads including peripheral ribs connected to the latter and the hull shell, and laterally accessible salvaging attachment means including pockets set in said ribs and rigidly connected to said bulkheads.

17. In combination, a hull having bulkheads including peripheral ribs connected to the latter and the hull shell, and laterally uc cessible salvaging attachment means including protruding portions of the bulkheads and pockets set in said ribs and rigidly connected to said bulkheads.

18. In combination, a hull having bulkheads including peripheral ribs connected to the latter and the hull shell, externally accessible pockets set in said ribs and rigidly connected to said bulkheads including salvaging attachment means, and cover means covering said pockets and set in said hull shell.

19. In combination, a hull having bulkheads including peripheral ribs connected to the latter and the hull shell, externally accessible pockets set in said ribs and rigidly connected to said bulkheads including salvaging attachment means, and cover means covering said pockets and set in said hull shell, including sockets in the latter and cover plates seated in said sockets.

20. In combination, a hull having bulkheads including peripheral ribs connected to the latter and the hull shell, externally accessible pockets set in said ribs and rigidly connected to said bulkheads includlng salvaging attachment means, and cover means covering said pockets and set in said hull shell, including sockets in the latter, cover plates seated in said sockets, and hooks in said cover plates connected to said attachment means.

21. In a submarine, a hull having bulkheads dividing the same into transverse compartments and including bulkhead members and ribs rigidly connected to said members and the hull shell, said hull also being provided with watertight salvaging attaching means accessible from the outside of said shell and built into said bulkheads and ribs within the lines of said shell.

22. A salvaging attachment comprising cooperating pocket forming members and a .web between the same protruding therefrom and rigidly connected thereto and provided with salvaging attachment means in the pocket formed by said members.

In a hull, a hull shell, a bulkhead including a bulkhead member and oppositely located ribs rigidly connected thereto and to said shell, and watertight salvaging attachment means in said ribs at the bulkhead and rigidly connected thereto and to said shell ha. ing a projecting member within the lines of said hull.

21. In a hull, a hull shell, a bulkhead including a bulkhead member and oppositely located ribs rigidly connected thereto and to said shell, sa'dvaging attachment means set in said bulkhead and rigidly connected thereto and to said shell and including a projecting web and cooperating pocket members, and cover means closing the pockets formed thereby.

in :1 hull, a hull shell having bulkheads rigidly (ZUHHQL ted to said shell, and externally accessible watertight salvaging attaclu'ncnt means built into said shell at said bulkheads and disposed within the lines of said shell and within the limits of the connections of said bulkheads to said shell.

26. In a hull, a shell having ribs rigidly connected to said shell and providing an unobstructed space between the rib connecting means of adjacent ribs, and externally accessible watertight salvaging attaclnncnt l'ncans built into the rib structure and disposed within the lines of said shell and within the limits of said rib structure.

27. In combination, a vessel hull having bulkheads and ribs rigidly connected to the latter and to said hull, and watertight salvaging attachmentmeans having an outwardly projecting attachment connection therein inside the lines of said hull rigidly connected to the bulkheads and ribs and within the limits of the ribs adjacent said bulkheads and means normally enclosing said connection in said water-tight means.

28. In combination, a. vessel hull having a bulkhead and ribs rigidly connected to the opposite sides of the latter, and water-tight salvaging attachment means in said ribs having an outwardly projecting attachment connection therein inside the lines of said hull and rigidly connected to the hull at the bulkhead and means normally enclosing said connection permitting access thereto to said connection at will.

In testimony whereof I uliix my signature.

EARL snx'roir. l l

CERTIFiCATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,826,959. Granted October 13, 1931, to

EARL SEXTON.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction .as follows: Page 3, line 65, claim 3, for the misspelled word "salvariging" read salvaging; same page, line 122, claim 11, atter "rib" insert and; same page, line 130, claim 12, strike out the word "earl"; page 4, line 126, claim 28, before "permitting" insert within said water-tight means and; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record oi the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 8th day of December, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

